Aurora takes delivery of two Airbus A319s

Photo by Fedor Borisov / transport-photo.com

Aurora, Aeroflot’s subsidiary operating in Russia’s Far East, has announced taking delivery of two Airbus A319 narrowbody jets. Both aircraft have 128 seats in two-class configuration. Aurora’s A319 fleet now comprises nine airliners.

One of the newly delivered aircraft (tail number VP-BWA) entered service with the airline after being repainted by AirAsia’s maintenance center in Taiwan in December 2015. The delivery of the second aircraft (tail number VP-BDM) was announced on January 2. It will enter service after the completion of customs clearance procedures.

Both aircraft, built in 2003, were previously operated by Aeroflot. They are provided through Lithuanian lessor AviaAM Leasing. Prior to their acquisition, the airliners received proper maintenance, including refurbishment of the cockpits, according to a source in the leasing company.

Apart from the nine A319s, Aurora operates three Boeing 737s, a Bombardier Q400, six Q200/300s, and two DHC-6 Twin Otters. The carrier intends to expand its regional and narrowbody fleet in the near term. In particular, it is planning to take delivery of two more Q400s in the first half of 2016.